Cole Tomas Allen, charged with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents' Dinner, entered a plea of not guilty to four federal charges on Monday before Judge Trevor McFadden in Washington D.C.
The 31-year-old Allen, hailing from Torrance, California, appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit, handcuffs, and leg irons.
Allen faces charges including attempted murder of a high-ranking official, interstate transportation of a firearm with criminal intent, use of a firearm during a violent crime, and assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon.
A conviction on the principal charge could result in a life sentence.
The shooting took place on April 25 at approximately 8:36 p.m. at the Washington Hilton hotel during the 105th Annual Correspondents' Dinner, which had about 2,600 attendees.
Authorities reported that Allen traveled by train from California carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. He breached the security checkpoint and fired at a Secret Service agent, who was hit in the bulletproof vest and sustained minor injuries.
The agent returned fire with five shots, missing Allen, who was subdued and apprehended before he could reach the main hall where the guests were gathered.
President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other high-ranking officials were evacuated without harm.
This incident marks the third assassination attempt on Trump in less than two years, following attempts in July and September of 2024.
The federal grand jury in the District of Columbia issued the indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and FBI Director Kash Patel. Three charges were initially filed on April 28, with a fourth added later.
Allen's defense team, comprised of federal public defenders Eugene Ohm and Tezira Abe, requested the disqualification of Pirro and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche due to conflicts of interest, arguing both were present at the event and could be considered potential victims or witnesses.
In a court filing, the defense questioned, "How can the U.S. justice system permit a victim to prosecute an accused in a case they are involved in?"
The defense further noted Pirro's long-standing political and personal ties to Trump and highlighted Blanche's previous role as Trump's personal attorney before joining the Department of Justice, thus calling for the appointment of a special prosecutor.
Additionally, the defense reported abusive conditions in the D.C. jail, including unwarranted monitoring, constant lighting, repeated searches, and solitary confinement.
Magistrate Zia Faruqui expressed "grave concerns" about Allen's treatment, noting he was being treated "differently than anyone" the magistrate had observed, unfavorably comparing his conditions to those of the January 6 defendants.
The next status hearing in the case is scheduled for June 29, 2026.
Details on the White House Correspondents' Dinner Incident
What charges is Cole Tomas Allen facing?
Allen is charged with attempted murder of a high-ranking official, interstate transportation of a firearm with criminal intent, use of a firearm during a violent crime, and assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon.
What was the outcome of the shooting incident at the Correspondents' Dinner?
The incident resulted in minor injuries to a Secret Service agent, while Allen was subdued and arrested before reaching the main event area.
How did the defense team respond to the charges against Allen?
Allen's defense team questioned the involvement of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche due to potential conflicts of interest, and requested a special prosecutor.